Men's shed aiming for a women's version

THE Bacchus Marsh Men’s Shed wants to establish a ‘sister’ facility for like-minded women.

Prompted by unofficial comments and questions of members, the women’s shed would be for those interested in the same kinds of activities that members of the men’s version are involved in.

To that end, men’s shed secretary Peter Marshman will be at the premises – which is at the Laurels Education and Training Facility in Main Street – from 1pm each Tuesday from next week for local women to drop in and register their interest.

Mr Marshman said the idea grew from informal questions asked of shed members at various times.

“The benefits I’ve seen from the men’s shed for the guys that turn up are really broad and really good – there’s nothing else like it,” he said.

“And I just thought that it would be worth stretching [it] out to women as well.

The shed has plenty of members who can share skills.

“When we’ve had open days and stuff like that, women have said ‘I wouldn’t mind that’ … but there hasn’t been any option for them.

“I’m just looking at giving them one.” Mr Marshman said the shed had members with experience in many areas, who could basically teach anyone.

He said a women’s shed would run on a separate day to the men’s shed – which operates on Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings – possibly on Tuesday afternoons.

And Mr Marshman stressed the women’s shed would be only for those who were interested in activities like those of the men’s shed.

“It’s not a new sewing circle or quilting club or anything like that,” he said. “It’s a workshop environment.

Shed secretary Peter Marshman stresses that a women’s shed will be a workshop environment.

“We can teach you to do house maintenance, we can teach you to make particular projects; it’s that sort of environment.”

Government funding is available for men’s sheds through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and Mr Marshman said he was investigating the application process because tentative plans were being made for a new, standalone facility.

He said the Moorabool Shire Council was supportive of the women’s shed idea, and also of a purpose-built shed.

“The Laurels works really well, but we’ve run out of space,” he said.

“Everyone complains because there’s not enough room in the workshop to do all of our work.”